New gadget!

I haven't 'blogged' for ages, so here is a brief entry to break the silence.

I'm sat typing this on my new gadget; my Nokia E90 communicator. I'm joyfully puzzling my way through it's extensive technological features. These include;
- full worldwide integrated GPS
- full internet ability - youtube and iplayer included!
- mp3, multi-codec video player, radio etc
- 3.2mp camera (which will adequately service my needs)
- integrated webcam
- full office suite (word, excel, access, powerpoint, adobe pdf, etc)

I'll stop there. Listing further features will jeopardise N's 'geek mantle'!
Suffice to say, I'm happy!

Rihanna

I'm not really a 'pop' man but I quite like Rihanna (musically) and I love this latest video. I think her mannerisms and expressions suit the lyrics perfectly.



And isn't she just smashing?..

Interesting changes...

Parliament this week will be repealing parts of half-century old legislation which will make the practise of mediumship and clairvoyance subject to much closer scrutiny and potential prosecution for misrepresentation.

I am highly sceptical of all things 'ghost 'n ghouly' and I support the introduction of such legislative measures. More significantly, though, I wonder how far the provisions outlined will be challenged and stretched.

The legislation will force purveyors of paranormal services to advertise their expertise as "entertainment only" to prevent 'unsuspecting' punters from being lulled into thinking that chatting with the deceased is a dependable scientific practise. Most customers visiting clairvoyants probably share the consultant's belief in it's credibility so the legislative changes will largely have no effect on either party.

I do wonder, however, if aggreived mediums will pursue legal challenges against the legislation's application: citing - for instance - religious practitioners and a necessity for them to prove the existance of a god to vindicate their particular vocational persuasion.

I await Clairvoyants v. God at the Old Bailey...

Philosophical thought of the day

I have a large seashell collection, which I keep scattered on beaches all over the world
(© Steven Wright)

While people desperately try to be more powerful, more respected, get richer and own more 'things' - I found the above quote quite apt.

I suggest with each new "Rich List" they publish a "Poor list"; highlighting the world's most stark deprivation. Oh, but wait, it's not fashionable or aspirational to be poor. The societal machine works in such a way that you work as hard as you need to, for your own gain - at other's expense if necessary - to get bigger houses, more money and faster cars so that people can look on at how brilliant you are...

Medical ethics

Ethics is a peculiar arena.

I've been reading - with interest, this week - the proposals for sanctioning the experimental use of hybrid human-animal embryos and the reduction on pregnancy termination time-limits.

I often find - with such emotive and controversial subject matter - that the objections are difficult to comprehend. I, fairly obviously, have a legal bias towards many topical issues raised in the contemporary media and will often adopt the correct legal stance (out of habit) before considering any moral implications.

My problem (with the hybrid embryo proposals in particular) is that so many of the objections vociferated on the Radio or in the national press are arguments on "ethical" grounds.

"Ethical" - eth·i·cal - [eth-i-kuhl] –adjective

1. pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.

2. being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, esp. the standards of a profession.

What is ethical? There is demonstrably no consensus on 'ethical' issues or debates would not be so divisive. It seems, to me, that very often ethical correctness is borne out of indoctrinated religious ideals. I'd be interested to see what percentage of those against the experimental utilisation of hybrid embryos are religious against those who vote in it's favour.

I'm not criticising religion per se. I am more concerned that, as we strive to diversify our population with a multitude of cultural and religious denominations, we are allowing politics and laws to be determined by an increasingly varied representation of religious beliefs. I'm not religiophobic. And I understand and respect the need to embrace everyone's beliefs. But not to the detriment of the majority who do not uphold such ideals.

Democracy will out in Parliament. But I reserve uncertainty over the interference of religion in law.

Crossing lives..

Events recently have prompted me to wonder how many people we interact with during the course of our lives who we could, given the opportunity, get along with really well - as partners, I mean.

I'm not just referring to fleeting glimpses of pretty girls across crowded city streets (although I suppose that is just as valid). More though, I'm thinking of other people's partners (or friends of friends) who you get on with really well. If we all, as individuals, were picked up, shaken about and re-scattered it would be interesting who our friends would be, who we might have the chance of striking up relationships with etc.

Lately I've been pestered by the thought of what could have happened between myself and a particular someone if we were both stripped of our daily trappings (family, friends, commitments, etc.)

Hmm..

Jangling nerves!

The countdown to tonight's game has begun. Two of the best European teams from the last decade meet in a Champions League semi-final and are afforded the opportunity to exhibit the most talented footballers on the planet.

Each teamsheet reads like a "Who's who" of football - Ronaldo, Messi, Rooney, Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Giggs, Henry, Scholes, Deco, Tevez etc etc.. It promises to be a magnificent display of exceptional footballing genius.

Sit back, wield your beer, and enjoy..

American incredulity reaches new highs..

After hearing the vociferations of the late Charlton Heston, a few years ago, advocating the widespread assumption and utilisation of firearms for all Americans it made me wonder what sort of social lows a country is capable of. Part of his famous - and undeniably perculiar - ideology was that had students in the University massacres (of the past 20 years) had firearms of their own, the extent of damage would've been limited or would not have occured at all. This is a crazy way to think! The proliferation of firearms is the cause - not the cure!

Anyway, reading this story earlier made me realise that America[ns] are beyond all rationality. Sanctioning the accompaniment of firearms for Students in school is insane!

I dread the next University massacre [like Columbine etc.] when the perpetrator will have the legal right to have the very weapon with him that disposes of the unfortunately proximate students and teachers.

I'm astounded. Unbelievable American stupidity is stonger than ever.

Clichés!

Clichés, I suppose, are inherently irritating.
Neighbourly discourse is inherently irritating.
Today I suffered a quip brimming with both.

My morning was spent hoovering my beloved BMW. Halfway through, my neighbour - who resides opposite - came out of his house, looked over at me intently (precipitating my turning and hang an ear out the car) and yelled "You can do mine after if you want". I realise this constitutes the most trivial of social annoyances but why say it all?! Simply say 'Good morning' or nothing at all!

His ridiculous comment in turn forces the 'idiotic social reflex' in me; where I either smile and fake a little laugh at his ground-breaking sense of humour or, worse, I try to think of something equally lazy and unnecessary to say in return. I fell victim of the latter and retorted "I'd love to, but I've got No.s 14, 16 and 18 to do yet". Oh, the shame.

Clichés - the choice of neighbours everywhere for passer-by bubblegum vernacular. Bah.

Techno-house

This isn't a new genre of mind-melting music but the vision (in prototype) of Dutch designers/futurists showing how we might live in the next decade.

It's like Grand Designs meets Apple ihouse!

Anyway, this is one house that's right down my street! See it here.

NHS - Highs and Lows

I was catapulted, quite unexpectedly, back into the all-too-familiar realm of the NHS this week when my Father was very suddenly taken ill. It's been nearly 10 years since I had direct, continous treatment from the NHS and my experience this week made me aware of how so many things have changed.

Firstly, I think it's most important to emphasize that the expertise and treatment delivered by all staff members from consultant surgeon - through nursing staff - to ward orderly is absolute superb.

The problem, I believe, is rooted in the fact that so many of the NHS' problems are shielded by the increasingly over-worked and unrewarded staff; fronting the 'institution' with consummate care, professionalism and often a smile. During this past week I've drawn my own conclusions (from first hand experience) of some of the NHS' failings or frailties.

• There are lots of immigrant workers on the ward in nursing capacities. This, of itself, I have no problem with. Cultural diversity is largely* a good thing but in this case I frequently noticed language issues arising between staff members or conversing with patients. Because the ward my father is on is neurological, many patients are suffering from associated speech impediments and can not express themselves to un-fluent foreign staff members nor can they understand the broken English spoken back to them.
• The knock-on effect of the above means that, invariably, the Ward Staff nurses or Senior nurses are having to chase up the work of the immigrant workers and - all too often - do it themselves. I frequently witnessed attendant family members exhaust their patience with immigrant staff before resolving their query with the (already over-stretched) Staff nurse or Sister.
• I personally watched-on as a 'stray' patient wandered into every sideroom and ward room (including those reserved for barrier nursing) without so much as a raised eyebrow from seemingly aimless immigrant staff shuffling around in the corridor. Eventually, when the man emerged from a sideroom naked from the waist down, I trundled down to the Nurse's station where a frantic Staff nurse was desperately trying to accommodate the unrelenting influx of incoming patients to inform him of the unfortunate goings-on. He had to explain three times to a loitering immigrant healthcare assistant that they needed to act in the circumstances and - after 15 minutes and further intervention by him (the staff nurse) the man was assisted back to his room and re-trousered.

There were numerous other examples which echo much of the above but it did scream to me that, while a globalized** workforce can work in many areas of business, the NHS is not one of them. In my - albeit minimal - experience of the NHS, it seems immigrant Doctors can integrate themselves because of sufficient expertise as well as lingual familiarity. The same, I suggest, cannot be said for the swathes of Eastern European or Far-Eastern Point of Care staff.

The solution? Well, surely more has to be done to make the profession appealing to English-speaking nationals. The status quo reputation of the NHS is over-worked, underpaid, un-appreciated and often abused staff who barely cling on to their profession purely because of their passion to help those in need.

The Government has got to accept that an increasingly immigrant-populated workforce is not the answer to diminished staffing numbers. Nursing staff need to be properly remunerated for reasonable working hours with dependable and fully-trained team members who share the common employment terms as them. Recruitment drives should be rolled out nationwide to advertise what 'should be' an attractive and rewarding profession rather than simply buying up cheap labour from overseas.

I realise I'm ranting and have applied the brakes accordingly! Suffice to say, I admire the NHS enormously and am indebted to their brilliance but I fear it's demise. The Government need to stop hiding behind the incredible - but ever-decreasing - staff who are desperately trying to keep the plates spinning while they surreptitiously add more and more sticks to the show.

* I say 'largely' as it can sometimes homogenize or dilute culture.

** Ugh, American conformity!

I haven't actually finished this entry, but bed calls and I don't know how to save it!

Film trailer recuts..

I've always enjoyed the net's vast offering of ingenious and often hilarious recut trailer efforts by back-bedroom video editors. The youtube revolution provided a playground of billboards to parade such activity - spawned largely by the, somewhat infamous, The Shining recut.

As I perused a few recent offerings this morning I really enjoyed this take on Titanic. The 'highlight' came, shamefully, when I found this alternative submission on About a Boy. I literally couldn't stop laughing. And I knew I shouldn't!

I suppose some of the best comedy juxtaposes the serious with the ridiculous. Guilty comedy.. I feel ashamed!

21st Century milk

Cravendale boast, in their jovial cartoon advertising campaign, that they filter their milk.
I suspect they do it to reduce bacteria and - in turn - lengthen freshness; although it seems they are pushing the 'fresher, cleaner taste' angle.
Filtered milk. I can remember when I was a lad that fresh milk - from an actual cow - was revered as the embodiment of healthy freshness. Obviously that now needs filtering.
God forbid I played in mud when I was young. And bumped my head on stuff. And didn't need a mobile for safety.

A filtered, purified, semi-skimmed generation is born.......

Tibetan struggle

I saw this photograph yesterday and loved what it captured.

The young Tibetan child symbolises perfectly the comparative weakness of the Tibetans against the crushing and dominant oppression of the Chinese might.

It's incredible, really, how a single photograph can say so much more than - say - a few minutes of video footage.

The true power of photography.

Bible 'bashing'

OK, OK.. I realise that I'm treading sensitive and potentially sacrilegious ground here and that this is my second such denouncement of religion in as many days but topical stimulus dictates my entries here; and religion has agitated my craving for vociferation - so here it is.

I've just watched a BBC4 documentary charting the pervasion and prosperity of gospel music influencing the evolution of pop and rock music - diffusing throughout the 50's, 60's, 70's & 80's in, particularly, Southern America.

To establish my position (not that it necessarily matters), I love gospel. I like the unashamed and unrestrained inhibition of it's brutal lyrical honesty coupled with appealing soulful charisma producing warm, uplifting and, often, beautifully harmonised songs. This was my premise for watching the programme.

The first half hour was interesting. It showed how the white population of the deep South adopted musical stylisations from black gospel singers and provided an otherwise inaccessible sound to the racially-dominant consumers. At this point, though, the programme entered the early 80's era and, with it, the incarnation of evangelist "Mega-churches" came to pass.

Mega-churches are populated by a terribly scary collection of individuals. You can almost hear the baa'ing under their nauseating Texan twang. I would be suprised if more than 90% of these 'disciples' havent been recruited (and I select that word very carefully) by one of three methods:

1. Guilt - the procurement of candidates by making them feel guilty for not following the letter of the bible*
2. Fear - the pressurized induction of those made to fear the repercussions of a lifestyle not sanctioned by the letter of the bible*
3. Coercive parenting - this is obvious. Just as a British father might 'parent' his child into supporting a particularly football team - just multiple the pressure exerted by 10000 and add alarmist abusiveness and pyschological arrogation.

The programme reached it's conclusion with 1000's of mindless bible fanatics bellowing out the 'hit' evangalist song "We want America back" accompanied by fainters, spinners, runners, tongue-talkers and healers.

If religion is owed to the existence of a God, he could do much worse than trying a bit of his remedial magic on religious American fantasists. Noah?


* as interpreted (conveniently) by themselves!

What the bible says about being gay

On my daily trawl of the BBC news website this morning I stumbled across this piece.

I'm not especially familiar with the bible and nor do I wish to be. I was force-fed enough of it's pious brain-washing nonsense as a boy and knew even then that it held no calling for me.

After reading the BBC article though, I sort of debated the issues - albeit briefly - in my mind about what exactly the scriptures alluded to regarding homosexuality.. then I was quickly brought to my senses and satisfied by a brief comment annexed to the bottom of the page:

"All academic really; we will outgrow religion as we've outgrown our belief in goblins and dragons. One day we will just accept our mortality, and get on with the business of living." Nathan, UK

Succinct and unequivocally pertinant.

Religion could be such a marvellous way of providing a sense of community and belonging for like-minded, well-intentioned, moral, upstanding members of society. How different reality is.

It's not even necessary for one to view the complex conflicts religion creates and fuels on the largest scale. Right down at base level - a small parish church in a leafy English village - will demonstrate it's inaccessability. How many church-goers would embrace the arrival of, say, a new "hoodie" attendant among their congregation?

It's dangerous, religiose poppycock masqueraded as a superior lifestyle choice conveying those ignorant enough to follow it into eternal life and happiness.

I'll accept that my remnants will be re-exploded into space in 8 billion years time as bits of iron, carbon etc. In the meantime I'll make the personal decision not to be wicked to anyone and also not to judge the personal decisions of those around me...

Pamelaahhh...

And finally, my third posting in a single morning (surely a 'P.B') concerns the return of Gavin and Stacey imminently on the BBC. The 1st Series of this fantastic comedy followed the lives of Gavin and Stacey - an Essex boy and Welsh lass - charting the evolution of their long-distance relationship, wedding plans and eventual marriage with all the familial tensions along the way.

The characters are bright and endearing and the script is simple yet highly amusing. The comedy is not forced* and allows the narrative to flow easily with intelligent, funny dialogue punctuating the natural progression of their lives throughout.

I haven't seen a date announced for Series 2 yet so seize the opportunity to watch (or recap) on Series 1 before the new installment arrives.

* See comedic crap like Dinnerladies etc where circumstances are inexplicably forced in order to squeeze a gag or two in.

Technology over practicality?

I love my car. Common - is such knowledge - among my friends.

It's jam-packed of technological wizardry. Largely unnecessary - but ultimately rewarding. At the weekend, however, a feature of this 'wizardry' became a bloody nuisance!

The computer highlighted that I had lost a significant pressure from a tyre and that I had possibly suffered a puncture. Great! one might think. No. The inordinately expensive tyres are "run-flats" meaning one can continue driving for ~100 miles even with a fully deflated tyre - therefore, none of the tyres exhibitted any physical external signs of deflation and the computer (in all its wisdom) is not sophisticated enough to point a finger at the offending tyre!

A trip to the garage ensued, whereupon the tyres were all re-inflated to their appropriate levels and the computer reset, with the disconcertingly vague instruction that I should "just keep driving on them and see if the warning re-appears". How reassuring.

I'll keep my comprehensive voice activation, active bolster sport seating, bluetooth connectivity, internet connection, Sat-Nav etc. but they can keep their tyre technology - I'll just have a tyre that's either flat or not. Simple.

Lars and the real girl

I watched this film last night after reading very mixed reviews and I quite enjoyed it. It was certainly an alternative take on mental health issues; particularly delusion.

The direction achieved a fine balance between comedy (used mainly, I think, as a means of assisting the audience to deal with such unfamiliar behaviour) and sincerity. If you can abandon prejudice and 'common' sense, Lars and the real girl (2007) is very easy to get involved in.

I try hard not to give away too much of a film's story when recommending it, so I simply say - watch it. I'm sure you'll either laugh or cry - and if the note hits the spot: possibly both.

A pleasant and refreshing take, 7.5/10.

Hold the Oscar list - here's the winner.

I haven't really had good reason to submit a blog entry for a while. This was, until last night, when I watched a film called Into the Wild (2007). It was brilliant, truly brilliant.

I had no idea what to expect and was completely unfamiliar with the film's premise.

The acting was fantastic, the scenic photography beautiful, the musical score wonderfully complimentary, the storyline was compelling and the writing (including lots of well-quoted inspirational or thought-provoking prose) sublime.

I can't recommend it enough. I hardly ever see a film and think "this a Top 10er!" but this was the exception. Without doubt one of the finest films I've ever seen.

Having watched Charlie Wilson's War, Juno and now Into the Wild I feel like 2008 might have exhausted it's ability to provide good films!

Go and watch Into the Wild - I've intentionally given nothing away here so you can go and immerse yourself in it without preconceptions..

Fantastic, 9.5/10.

New PC and storage

*Geek warning*

I upgraded my PC this week. Not because it was terribly old but because a nagging issue with hard drives losing power was best resolved by a completely new system!

This should, one would think, be a fairly straightforward upgrade and migration.. if only! My problem is the copious volumes of divx films, series, etc that I store on HDD. My penchant for British comedy means I have 200gb of comedy series alone (including The Office, The Royle Family, The league of Gentlemen, Nighty Night, Black Books, Phoenix Nights, I'm Alan Partridge, etc etc).

There are two things regarding my excess of digital videos. First, that it's a complete nuisance to easily and efficiently move around between drives/disks, and second, that it was only a decade ago that I had a 4.2gb hard drive in a well-specified - at the time - PC. As I shuffle files around to enable the formatting of the cleared drives I find myself moaning that my USB HDD only has a mere 500gb storage capability!

Technology has a strange habit of advancing massively but subtly and throwing the end-user meted reminders, like mine today, of just how far things have come.

"Celebrity"

I've just finished reading a book charting the progress over the last century of quantum physics and general relativity and the attempts by leading scientific minds to unify or reconcile the mathematical anomolies that exist[ed] between the two scalular theories.

To avoid descending into the realms of mind-numbing boredom I'll try to be concise - the book concentrates, largely, on the pre-emiance of string theory or M-theory as a means of mathematical unification for the afore-mentioned theories of force. While I find string theory intriguing and chiefly plausible it was more the author/contributor that got me thinking about making this particular blog entry.

The author is a leading physics mind called Edward Witten. A name, I suspect, that 99% of the world is utterly unfamiliar with but one which is internationally regarded as the greatest mind in 20/21st century physics - many labelling him the "new Einstein". Looking back to Einstein (and, indeed, further - to Newton) one realises that prolific minds (not just in science but in art, poetry, music etc.) were celebrities - revered by the masses for outstanding ability or accomplishment in their field.

It saddened me to think that all over the globe exist individuals with remarkable minds or contributions to make to mankind with so little - if any - general public appeal or appreciation.

At a friends house the other evening the television was on and they (my married friends, mid-30s) were watching "Celebrity Extreme Makeover - Jade's Mum" - a show in which Jade Goody's mother was chopped up and reassembled for the entertainment and delectation of those desperate enough to subscribe to LivingTV.

Surely then, it's harder to reconcile the sense of - and interest in - "Jades Mum" receiving a breast augmentation with Mr Witten receiving a Field's medal for contributions to contemporary science than it is to test and prove string (or M-) theory as a unification for micro and macro forces of nature.

Charlie Wilson's War

I've been looking forward to this film for a month or two and was pleased to get the opportunity to watch it today.

The story is one I am/was only vaguely familiar with so I hoped, perhaps, that an accurate reconstruction of events might enlighten me somewhat. I was very pleasantly suprised by the honesty, cynicism and prolific sarcasm that pervades the films narrative. Save for Julia Roberts, the cast were perfectly recruited and delivered enthralling performances.

Tom Hanks was reliable in the lead role (the excellent actor that he is) and portrayed a complex character (Charles Wilson) with apparent effortlessness and absolute conviction. Supporting Hanks was Phillip Seymour Hoffman - adding another accomplished (and different) 'string' to his already populated 'bow'.

As much as I enjoyed the whole film I was most enamoured by the way the core issue was treated so minimally at the close of the film and required the viewers' own expansion and consideration of the ramifications and associated obligations of warfare (so prevalant in the current 'Iraqi' climate).

A thoroughly enjoyable film with the welcome substitution of cynicism over hollywoodism! 8/10.

"Just Desserts"

For the title of this short entry I've used the name of Creme Brulée's first album, Just Desserts. Showcasing classics such as "Telephone tears"* and "Voodoo lady".
This story made me smile. It couldn't have happened to a bigger idiot.

*You're always engaged girl, but not to me

Is there room in your heart, for my last 10p?

© Creme brulee, League of Gentlemen

New Year

Ahh.. so the New Year 'celebrations' are finally over. No doubt the optimism of resolutions will dominate common discourse for the next week before people revert to being apathetic, lazy, miserable, overweight, drug-taking smokers. I even received a "Happy New Year" greeting card! Worse still, I don't think it was sarcastic!

I hate New Year. Mainly, I think, because of the afore-mentioned 'celebrations' of the event. I could, quite literally, rant paragraph after paragraph about why I hate it but I'll try to be brief.

My primary hatred for New Year is the compulsory enjoyment obliged on all those (Read: 'me') attending various events. Secondly, I can't understand what's to be so unnaturally joyous about? We're all another year older (well, a second older - but that's another argument!) but what is the significance? Thirdly (and I can feel my blood boiling as I type), the whole "Olde Langs Syne" and crossed-arms, hand-holding love-thy-partner crap. As an extension - the kissing that subsequently ensues.. particularly because all "stroke-of-midnight New Year kisses" have unique characteristics reserved for such an occassion:

1. Partner kiss - A half-hearted effort loaded with 5% enthusiasm for the year ahead but 95% questioning whether what you've got is worth keeping for the coming year..
2. The half-friend 'kiss' - usually a friend of opposite sex who clasps your hand to shake it, sporting a pathetic smile; extending the mandatory new Year salutation but it's too late - you've already leaned in too far on this formal arrangement and an awkward and very tentative kiss between you both is the only way to break the compromising misadventure.
3. The drunk friend kiss - You've spent the intervening, depressing few minutes since "Olde Langs Syne" finished watching the party pisshead assert his/herself on unsuspecting guests in an uncomfortable and unnecessarily forward manner. They stumble towards you, clasping their arms around you, tilting their head and licking across your face and lips as an incoherent string of words mumbles from their lips - "Habby Newm Yaar". You're saved by a friend of theirs passing through their peripheral vision enticing them to throw themselves that way..
4. The family kiss - Aunties, Grandmothers etc etc. New Year is license, it seems, for wet-lipped relatives to get a little too proximate. My personal space is very sacred but here is such an occassion where normal rules of spatial recognition are abandoned.
5. The kiss with meaningful chat - Cringeworthiness of the highest order. Usually from a drunk party-goer it goes something like this:

You (as they stumble into you for a kiss) - "Happy New Year" *polite smile*

Them (usually spoken directly into your ear because they've chosen to embrace you) - "I know this year's been shit but next year'll be much better.."

You (in an attempt to be polite) - "Yes, thanks.."

Them - "No, seriously.. I love you and you're brilliant and I really mean this.. you deserve it.. I know I'm drunk but I do mean it and I want to you to know it.." *repeat ad infinitum*

Thankfully, my New Year was bearable this year. And Happy New Year to all of you! *forced smile* ;-)